<p>While Cyclone Nilam is expected to cross the coast between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, strong winds have made the ship Pratibha Cauvery run aground here, a senior port official said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking to IANS, a port official said: "There are 37 people onboard Pratibha Cauvery. It ran aground today (Wednesday) around noon. It has no cargo and weighs 28,741 DWT (deadweight tonnage)."<br /><br />The official said the Indian Coast Guard has been informed and it is for the ship owners to decide on the next course of action.<br /><br />He said the ship was proceeding to Mumbai after discharging its cargo at Chennai Port.<br /><br />The ship returned as it was called back by the Chennai Port Oct 8, the official said, not wanting to be named.<br /><br />He said the ship's engine was not powerful enough to counter the strong winds and it started drifting towards the shore.<br /><br />According to him, the possibility of the ship sailing back depends on the extent of the damage the vessel has suffered.<br /><br />According to Chennai Port officials, all the ships at the harbour were asked to go into the sea as a safety measure.<br /><br />Meanwhile, onlookers at the beach experienced a sort of sand blasting with specks of sand hitting the exposed parts of their bodies at great force as gusts of wind picked up, making them run for cover.<br /><br />"We came here to see the fury of the sea waves. The bonus is this ship that has run aground," an excited onlooker said.<br /></p>
<p>While Cyclone Nilam is expected to cross the coast between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, strong winds have made the ship Pratibha Cauvery run aground here, a senior port official said.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking to IANS, a port official said: "There are 37 people onboard Pratibha Cauvery. It ran aground today (Wednesday) around noon. It has no cargo and weighs 28,741 DWT (deadweight tonnage)."<br /><br />The official said the Indian Coast Guard has been informed and it is for the ship owners to decide on the next course of action.<br /><br />He said the ship was proceeding to Mumbai after discharging its cargo at Chennai Port.<br /><br />The ship returned as it was called back by the Chennai Port Oct 8, the official said, not wanting to be named.<br /><br />He said the ship's engine was not powerful enough to counter the strong winds and it started drifting towards the shore.<br /><br />According to him, the possibility of the ship sailing back depends on the extent of the damage the vessel has suffered.<br /><br />According to Chennai Port officials, all the ships at the harbour were asked to go into the sea as a safety measure.<br /><br />Meanwhile, onlookers at the beach experienced a sort of sand blasting with specks of sand hitting the exposed parts of their bodies at great force as gusts of wind picked up, making them run for cover.<br /><br />"We came here to see the fury of the sea waves. The bonus is this ship that has run aground," an excited onlooker said.<br /></p>